RESULTS OF A RAPTOR SURVEY IN SOUTHWESTERN NEW-MEXICO

Eight roadside surveys for raptors were conducted in southwestern New Mexico from May 1988-January 1989 to examine seasonal abundance and ha bitat use. Of the 17 species observed, American kestrels (Falco sparve rius), red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), turkey vultures (Catharte s aura), and northern harriers (Circus cyaneus) were most common and o ccurred along the entire survey route in all habitats. Bald eagles (Ha liaeetus leucocephalus) were recorded less frequently only in January in riparian habitats and pinyon-juniper and Ponderosa pine ecotones, a nd Swainson's hawks (B. swainsoni) were infrequently observed in mesqu ite grasslands and Chihuahuan desertscrub in May and July. Golden eagl es (Aquila chrysaetos), ferruginous hawks (B. regalis), prairie falcon s (R mexicanus), and Cooper's hawks (Accipiter cooperii) were also rec orded infrequently but occurred widespread along the survey route.